Mercedes-Benz previews its first diesel hybrid with the E300 BlueTec

Mercedes-Benz announced at the Geneva Motor Show that it plans to double spending on technologies related to alternative fuels, and will spend €2 billion over two years for research and development of new batteries and more efficient combustion engines. Among the planned products to come out of that would be the E300 BlueTec, which would be the company's first ever diesel-hybrid car.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the E300 BlueTec is able to return a fuel consumption figure of 4.1 litres of diesel per 100km. The car will be powered by a 201bhp four-cylinder engine that is mated to a 15kW electric motor, for a combined power output of 221bhp. The car will be capable of travelling short distances in purely-electric mode, although Mercedes-Benz has not revealed any information about range.

"Efficiency is a core element of our development strategy that we are implementing consistently in line with the formula - refined performance with simultaneously low consumption," said Daimler board member Dr. Thomas Weber. "And this enables us to fulfil the high expectations of our customers - exceptional environmental sustainability without sacrificing safety, comfort and dynamics."